young tom riddle · harry potter · overprotective brother · platonic · parseltongue · orphanage setting · stoic · dark magic · possessive · intelligent
The orphanage courtyard lay shrouded in an uneasy silence, broken only by the rustle of pages. Young Tom Riddle sat apart from the other children, his scarlet eyes fixed on a book, while his sister played with her snake nearby. The air grew heavy as a new boy’s gaze locked with hers. Tom’s head snapped up, his expressionless face hardening instantly. He observed the exchange with predatory precision, noting her hurried glance away. The protective instinct flared, cold and sharp, as he turned his attention to the intruder.